Memorialize the Important People in Your Life in Writing with Gigi Coleman

Prompt #1: Sincerely, An Admirer

Who is someone in your life that you admire? Write a letter to them letting them know what you see in them!

Prompt #2: Monologue

Create a monologue from the perspective of the recipient of your letter. How would they tell their story?

Q&A with Gigi Coleman

What is the most surprising thing that you learned in your research about Bessie?

I went to Paris, France, on the hundredth year anniversary. A group of us went just to celebrate. And when I got to France, I realized just how much she is loved over there. They have a street named after her. They just named the school in Rue. And how she had to learn French and write French and be able to read French. And it’s just amazing how she did in a short period of time. I just feel like she was a genius back in those days to be able to do all that.

Can you speak to the importance of storytelling and making sure that the lives of our ancestors continue to be heard?

Oh, yes. I think it’s so important for young people or older people to tell their stories of their ancestors, because if you don’t tell the story, who’s going to tell it? Who’s going to know about what your people have done in their lives that has made a difference in society? Like Bessie Coleman, she made a difference. If it hadn’t been for a Black African-American, Native American woman, there wouldn’t be no black men flying airplanes. You got to remember, she was the first when she came back to the United States. So it took a woman to make these men get up here and fly airplanes like Chauncey Spencer, Dale White, the Tuskegee Airmen, Cornelius Coffey, Beryl Hurd, Thomas Allen. It’s so important to tell your stories. Tell your family’s stories.

Did the family ever have any more contact with Bessie’s father, George Coleman, after he left Waxahachie?

I don’t know if my cousin Vera Jean Ramsey is on here. I don’t know. She may have insight. Some of the Ramseys or any family member that’s on if they like to speak. But I don’t think so. I don’t think she came back. Now, she had a brother. They went to Canada. I’m really trying to reach out to my Canadian family. If anybody could, please call. You know, we’ve lost contact because one of the family members, Debbie, she passed recently, so I lost contact with them. So we’re trying to reach out to the family in Canada. But he went to Canada because he dodged the war. He didn’t want to be in the war. And you can see why, because African Americans, the way they were treated. But he was a violinist, and her brother, Johnny? Found out he was a cook for the gangster, Al Capone. It’s just amazing the things that you find out about your family members.

Did you help in the process of designing the Mattel doll? What was it like to then promote it afterward?

Mattel contacted me and said they were going to do a doll. And so they sent me these doll heads. I had to pick out the color of her skin. So, you know, I do my show, I say, “Oh, everyone, what’s the problem with this cocoa brown skin?”  So I had to make sure I picked out the right color. And then it was so exciting because they took over from there. And just to see the shape of the doll and how much her doll has inspired the youth to think about STEM and just inspire you to think about everything that you could do. And being part of the Barbie series, Inspiring Women, is a wonderful, wonderful tribute to my family. And we all are very excited.

Do you feel overwhelmed being a descendant of Bessie Coleman?

Yes, I do feel overwhelmed being a descendant of Bessie Coleman! I mean, who could fit her bill? Nobody. I mean, she was a go-getter, a nonchalant person. She didn’t take no for an answer. She had determination, drive. She had integrity. She believed in God. She was a Christian person. She believed in family. So, I mean, it’s a lot. But it’s okay because I’m a part of Bessie’s bloodline and my other family members are, too. And I just want everybody to know I love my family. I’m thankful that they have me as a spokesperson and the only reason I really became a spokesperson is because— I started this journey because of my mother, Marion Coleman, and I could not let this legacy just die. I’m glad that my husband, David Quinn, made me get out there and do something and do the one-woman show, do the aviation program. My sons, John and Gerard Cooper. I love them with all my heart. My son Gerard, he’s at Ames. He’s going to be an aircraft mechanic. So he’s keeping that legacy going and he’s going to be taking over, John and Gerard, with the aviation program when I do retire. That’s my plan to just retire, relax. Well, until that time come, I want to get out there and tell her story.

This event was originally recorded on February 3rd, 2023.